Overtime Rules in Pro Football Explained

Why Overtime Exists

Regular-season pro football games can end in a tie. Overtime was introduced to reduce ties and give both teams a fair chance to win. The rules have evolved over time to address concerns about fairness, especially regarding the coin toss and the advantage of receiving the ball first.

How Overtime Works in the NFL

In the NFL, overtime lasts for one 10-minute period during the regular season. If the score is still tied after that, the game ends in a tie. In the playoffs, overtime periods are 15 minutes, and the game continues until a team scores, with no ties allowed.

The key principle is that each team gets at least one possession, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its first drive. If that happens, the game ends immediately. If the receiving team kicks a field goal, the other team gets a chance to possess the ball; if they tie with a field goal, the game continues in sudden death.

The Coin Toss and Choosing to Receive

Before overtime, the referee conducts a coin toss. The visiting team captain calls the toss. The winner can choose to receive the kickoff, kick off, or choose which end of the field to defend. In practice, most teams choose to receive because of the advantage of having the first possession.

However, some teams may choose to kick off, hoping to pin the opponent deep and rely on their defense to get a stop, then score on their own possession. This strategy is less common but can be effective if a team has a strong defense and a struggling offense.

Sudden Death vs. Modified Sudden Death

Pro football uses a modified sudden-death format. True sudden death means the first score of any kind wins. The NFL modified this to ensure both teams get a possession, unless the first possession ends in a touchdown. This change came after several playoff games where the receiving team won with a field goal without the other team touching the ball, leading to criticism.

In the current rules, if the receiving team scores a touchdown, the game ends. If they score a field goal, the other team gets a chance to tie or win. If the other team ties with a field goal, the game continues in sudden death—the next score wins. If the other team scores a touchdown, they win immediately.

What Happens During the Overtime Period

During the 10-minute overtime, teams use the same rules as regulation for downs, penalties, and timeouts. Each team gets three timeouts per half, but in overtime, they get two timeouts total (not per half). The clock runs normally, including stopping for incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays.

If the overtime period ends with the score tied, the game is recorded as a tie in the regular season. In the playoffs, a new overtime period begins, and the same rules apply until a winner is determined.

Common Misconceptions and Questions

One common misconception is that the team that wins the coin toss always has a huge advantage. While it is an advantage, the data shows that the team receiving the kickoff wins about 50% of overtime games, and the team that kicks off wins about 45%, with the remaining 5% ending in ties. Another misconception is that a safety ends the game immediately. In fact, a safety on the first possession ends the game, because the safety is a score by the defensive team, and the defensive team would win.

Another question is whether the overtime rules are the same in college football. They are not. College football uses a system where each team gets a possession from the opponent’s 25-yard line, and if the score remains tied after two possessions, they alternate from the 3-yard line. This is different from the pro sudden-death format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a team win with a safety in overtime?

Yes, a safety in overtime wins the game immediately. A safety is a score by the defensive team, and since it is a score, it counts as the winning score under sudden-death rules.

What happens if the overtime period ends in a tie during the regular season?

The game is recorded as a tie. In the NFL, ties are rare but possible. Each team gets one point in the standings, which can affect playoff seeding.

How many timeouts do teams get in overtime?

Each team gets two timeouts in overtime, regardless of how many they had left at the end of regulation. The standard three timeouts per half do not carry over.

Do teams switch ends of the field at the start of overtime?

No, the teams do not switch ends. The coin toss winner chooses which end to defend, and the teams play the entire overtime period without changing ends unless there is a long drive that naturally changes the field position.

Is the overtime rule different in the Super Bowl?

No, the Super Bowl uses the same overtime rules as other NFL playoff games. The only difference is that the Super Bowl is played on a neutral field, but the overtime format is identical.

Why the Rules Matter

The overtime rules in pro football are designed to balance fairness and excitement. The modified sudden-death format ensures that both teams have a chance to possess the ball, which addresses the criticism that the coin toss was too decisive. The rules also create strategic decisions, such as whether to receive or kick off, and whether to go for a touchdown or settle for a field goal on the first possession.

Understanding these rules enhances the viewing experience, especially during playoff games where every possession is critical. The rules are clearly defined in the NFL Rulebook, which is the official source for all game regulations.

Sources: NFL Rulebook. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.